Disparities in workers’ payments covered under EU funds

Question for written answer E-002143/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Lynn Boylan (The Left)

In Ireland, there are two employment paths for personal assistants and note takers who assist third-level students with disabilities. Those employed directly by Education and Training Boards are paid through SOLAS, the designated intermediate body for Ireland's European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) programme for employment, inclusion, skills and training. Those employed by individual third-level institutions are paid through the Higher Education Authority's Fund for Students with Disabilities, which is also financed under the ESF+.

Personal assistants paid through SOLAS earn EUR 21 per hour. Those paid through the Fund for Students with Disabilities are paid EUR 14.50 per hour. Both funding streams come from the ESF+.

• 1.Are there rules around the allocation of ESF+ funding that aim to guarantee equality of pay for the same work across different funding programmes?
• 2.Has the Commission provided guidance to Ireland or other Member States about how to ensure equal pay across ESF+ funding programmes?

Submitted: 17.10.2024